Today I want to dedicate My World to human rights activists around the world, and to all those striving for democracy and freedom, from Bahrain to Burma, from Suva to Tehran. To Bradley Manning and his friends and supporters, and to everyone everywhere trying to tell the truth about war and occupation, injustice and corruption. To love, and peace, and compassion.

Like many people, I’ve been following the extraordinary events in Egypt via a range of sources, including Al Jazeera and Twitter. One of the biggest revelations – for me, anyway – has been the way Twitter offers a chance to follow the thoughts and comments of people in the thick of things on the other side of the world.

A quote from the Koran? Words of inspiration from some great Arab political leader? Nah. The first is a line from Aragorn; the second from Gandalf. Somewhere in Cairo, this young Egyptian journalist had turned to Lord of the Rings for comfort and inspiration.(more…)

Ant Sang is one hell of a cartoonist, and a fabulous guy. His serialised story, Dharma Punks, was one of the most impressive New Zealand comics I’ve ever seen, and his inspired work as lead designer on the TV show Brotown has made his style familiar to everyone in the country. Shaolin Burning deserves to sell like crazy – and I can’t wait to read it!

The book is published by Harper Collins, and has already been spotted in some bookstores. The official launch party is tomorrow night (Thursday, 3 February), in Auckland. There’ll be original artwork on show, limited edition prints, copies of the book to buy, and Ant himself to stalk and admire.

Wild horses couldn’t keep me away, and if you’re anywhere near Auckland, I hope I’ll see you there!

P.S. If you can’t make it to the launch, don’t despair. The exhibition will be up till the 18th of February. Details can be found on Adrian Kinnaird’s excellent NZ comics blog, From Earth’s End. And, of course, you can still rush to your local book store for your very own copy of Shaolin Burning!